Question 1209350
**1. Let's represent:**

* The initial amount of money Rama had as 'x'

**2. Formulate the equation:**

* **Textbooks:** Rama spent (x/3) + 8 dollars on textbooks.
* **Remaining money after textbooks:** x - (x/3) - 8 = (2/3)x - 8
* **Stationery:** Rama spent 1/2 * ((2/3)x - 8) - 12.20 dollars on stationery.
* **Remaining money after stationery:** (2/3)x - 8 - 1/2 * ((2/3)x - 8) + 12.20 = (2/3)x - 8 - (1/3)x + 4 + 12.20 = (1/3)x + 8.20
* **School Socks:** Rama spent 1/2 * ((1/3)x + 8.20) + 2.80 dollars on socks.
* **Remaining money:** (1/3)x + 8.20 - 1/2 * ((1/3)x + 8.20) - 2.80 = 15.40

**3. Simplify and solve the equation:**

* (1/3)x + 8.20 - (1/6)x - 4.10 - 2.80 = 15.40
* (1/6)x + 1.30 = 15.40
* (1/6)x = 14.10
* x = 14.10 * 6
* x = 84.60

**Therefore, Rama had $84.60 at first.**